Several factors can cause foundation issues. They include; drainage issues, poor soil preparation, plumbing leaks, absorption of water by tree roots, etc. You should remember that your home is an investment, and it needs your protection. This will help you stay away from any repairing costs.
Here are some tips to help you out:
- Inspect your home
You should walk around your infrastructure after a few months and check if there is any sign of trouble. In case you spot cracks or holes on your wall, it is essential to fill them. This will help you destroy the infestation of insects, which could ruin your wall.
If you have a bean and pier foundation, inspect the crawlspace to see if there is any indication of mildew, dampness, and wood rot.
When checking for cracks, you should keenly look at them to see how large they are and also where they are coming from.
Stopping the fractures when they are small will help you to prevent further damage on your wall. It is difficult for you to see the movement happening because of the weight of the house sagging down the foundation.
In case your home is setting or sinking, you should seek help from a profession to inspect your wall. You can also find more information when you checkout Houston foundation repair.
- Keep the moisture level consistent
Prevent the soil around your structure from becoming extremely dry or wet. This is because the soils around your structure contract and expand as humidity levels change. Therefore, you will have extra work to keep up the moisture levels.
The movements created due to contraction and expansion of soil are the source of cracks or holes in your structure. Putting a water control program into action will help you prevent any further damage to your wall.
During the warm season, it is crucial to water the base. It is good that you use an underground irrigation system though it is ambiguous on rainy seasons, and it is also expensive to install.
The best option for your home is using a soaker pipe or an automatic lawn sprinkler to keep the dirt around your foundation a little bit moist. You can also consider setting up rock beds. These beds will enable the needed moisture to go into the soil hence preventing any cracks on the base of your property.
- Establish a proper drainage system
A lot of water around your structure is not good as also little because it can lead to upheaval (a case when your structure raises above its supposed position). It is also advisable to install some gutters.
They should be sufficient enough to dispose of a large mass of water, which can pile up during heavy rains. You can also use downspouts to discharge water from your structure.
If your area has sandy soil which quickly absorbs water, you can discharge water at 3” from the foundation. In case water is standing around your structure and drainage is an issue, it is advisable to install surface drainage.
If smaller dampness is a problem, you can install a French drain to prevent your house from smaller but extremely destructive amounts of humidity. The drainage system and drainage collection will help you to solve your issues.
- Protect your house from large trees
For trees to live, they need a lot of moisture, and their large roots will absorb water from the soil surrounding your structure.
This might cause damage to the base of your house. When planting trees, make sure you plant them some distance away from your house. This depends on the kind of trees you want to plant.
Consult your nurseryman to learn more about the moisture needed and the expected root size of the tress you wish to plant on your landscape.
- Yearly inspection of your home plumbing
Plumbing leaks mainly under slab leaks are the biggest causes of foundation damage. The holes take place in sprinkle irrigation systems, freshwater, and any other part of your plumbing system. In case there is a plumbing leak, call a licensed plumber to conduct hydrostatic testing to enable him to detect invisible leaks.
- Installation of a root barrier
Suppose you already have planted large trees around your house. The best thing to do is to install a root barrier. The wall is implanted in the ground. It is made of metal, plastic, or any other materials. It will help to prevent tree roots from getting to your foundation. They direct roots away and down from your structure.
- Construct your structure on a proper slope
It is essential to have good grading to enable water to drain away from your structure. The ground surrounding your building should be sloping away from it. In case it is not, you can install a moisture barrier approximately 5” deep around your house.
- Protectection against cracks
When a house is lifted, there will be a formation of a significant break. Cracks can cause severe problems in areas of metroplex. Seasonal weather conditions cause various foundation issues. In case you spot such issues, contact a foundation constructor. You can also repair the cracks if need be. This will prevent further damage to your wall.
- Have a contractor examine your foundation issue
In case you spot a foundation problem, consult a reputable contractor.
Through inspection, he or she can tell the difference between cracks, which shows foundation problems, and those that indicate there were some movements.
They will stop by your home to inspect the extent of the damage and advise accordingly. They can also help you to fix the issue. Click here to see more tips.
Conclusion
The tips will enable you to protect your house foundation. They will also help you reduce costly repairs. As a homeowner, it is crucial to be careful and prepared for any issue which may destroy your home foundation and property. It is best if you avoided any foundation repairs. Early detection of foundation issues will save you money and time. It can also decrease the chances of long-term damage.
